Prep Athlete of the Week: Karatekeli starring for Chico boys basketball team

CHICO — It's still a little premature to say the success of last year's Chico High boys basketball team will be repeated, but whatever achievements the Panthers manage then Burak Karatekeli will surely play an integral part.

Karatekeli started his senior campaign earning most valuable player honors in the Bell Vista Bronco Roundup as the Panthers opened the season with wins over three Sac-Joaquin Section Division I opponents.

Karatekeli then had 21 points in a Dec. 4 win at Nevada Union and continued his strong play in the Pleasant Valley Invitational, which Chico won as he was named to the all-tournament team while teammate Jesse Holmes was MVP.

That's similar to last season, when Holmes garnered all-Northern Section MVP honors with Karatekeli joining him on the first team as a forward.

But Karatekeli is no sidekick. He's a player who forces opponents to pick their poison, and he's made sure they get a full dose.

In Saturday's championship against Washington-Fremont, a game Chico won 57-49, Holmes had 18 points and Karatekeli matched him with 18 as well. They each made four 3-pointers.

"They both feed off each other," Chico coach Kirk Bruchler said.

So far, Karatekeli is averaging better than 17 points per game and the Panthers are 7-0. Last season, Chico went 27-4 and reached the NorCal semifinals. Karatekeli, mostly playing in the post, averaged 11.3 points per game, second best on the team to Holmes' 17.9.

"I've grown up with Jesse all my life. We've grown up competing," Karatekeli said. "We're both pretty good athletes. We work well together. Having Jesse it's a big load off me, but it's a huge help for me."

This season, Karatekeli, who is 6-foot-4, 180 pounds, has been playing closer to the perimeter in more of a wing role for Chico. His versatility has made Chico a more flexible, more dangerous opponent.

"It's huge for him to be able to fit in at different positions," Bruchler said.

Karatekeli, who said he's worked on all aspects of his game including shooting, ball-handling and even taken on more of a leadership role, something that Bruchler has noticed and appreciated.

"He's talking to his teammates, being more vocal, encouraging the younger players, helping them," Bruchler said. "He's a leader."

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